Angeles Arrien

Compassionate Service

 

Compassionate service helps alleviate suffering in times of conflict, illness, poverty, and challenging transitions.  As Abraham Maslow reminds us in Religions, Values and Peak Experiences that "the best way to become a 'helper' is to become a better person.  But one necessary aspect of becoming a better person is via helping other people.  So one must and can do both simultaneously."  In what areas of your life, do you want to be a better person in order to help others  in more impactful ways?

 

Monthly Practice:

• One of the best practices for cultivating compassionate service comes from Mirabai Bush in her book Compassion in action: Setting Out on a Path of Service, where she advises us to: 
• Be Brave
• Start Small
• Use what you've got
• Do something you enjoy
• Don't over-commit
• Take time to concentrate on each phrase and practice each one for at least 5 days.

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